MIRAMAR, Fla. –The star of the popular TV series Family Matters has a new role as the cultural ambassador for the Miramar Cultural Center I ArtsPark in which she has and will continue to host various events throughout the year, star in television commercials for upcoming performances and promote the overall cultural amenities at the Center.
 
The partnership comes during the Miramar Cultural Center I ArtsPark's fifth anniversary season. “We are thrilled to have Ms. Payton as our cultural ambassador and welcome her to the Miramar Cultural Center I ArtsPark family particularly as we celebrate a landmark year,” said Deputy Director Camasha Cevieux.   “She is a household name and we thank her for her generosity in building awareness for all that we do here.”
 
Payton recently hosted the Southern Circuit Independent Film Festival which featured six independent films and a meet and greet with presenting filmmakers. She moderated the discussion following the opening night film screening.
 
The actress, whose family moved to Opa-Locka when Payton was three months old, is delighted to be back in South Florida and actively engaging in the community again. “I love it here,” Payton said. “The Miramar Cultural Center has so much to offer in the way of cultural arts, theater, music, dance and film. I am so happy to be a part of this exciting time in Miramar.”
 
The anniversary season offers a diverse lineup of cultural connections including the Cultural Explorer Series with the National Circus of the People’s Republic of China performance of Cirque Chinois (Nov. 30); and Grammy® award winning female acapella group Sweet Honey in the Rock (Jan. 25). Other events include gospel singer Shirley Caesar (Dec. 8); Harlem Gospel Choir (Feb. 9), which is comprised of the finest singers and musicians from various churches in Harlem, N.Y.; the Southern Circuit Film Series continues with the screenings of Eating Alabama (Feb. 21); Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock, an examination of the Civil Rights activist (March 14); and Follow the Leader, (Apr. 11).  Each film is again followed by a Q&A with the respective filmmakers.
 
Additional shows also include Comedy with America's Got Talent Runner-up Tom Cotter (Jan. 5) and Marvin Dixon (June 8).  Opera season this year brings Teatro Lirico D'Europa with performances of The Marriage of Figaro (Jan. 29); Tosca (Feb. 26) and a Tribute to Pavarotti (Mar. 11).  Each opera features a live orchestra and English subtitles.
 
Tickets are available at 954-602-4500 or select your seat online at www.miramarculturalcenter.org. All dates, times, programs and artists are subject to change.
 
The Miramar Cultural Center | ArtsPark is located at 2400 Civic Center Place on Red Road, north of Miramar Parkway, in Miramar.  Miramar Cultural Center/ArtsPark can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/MiramarCulturalCenter and on Twitter @MiramarCultural.